A hybrid-assembly approach towards nitrogen-doped graphene aerogel supported cobalt nanoparticles as high performance oxygen reduction electrocatalysts

As a novel electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), nitrogen-doped graphene aerogel supported cobalt nanoparticles (Co-NGA) is archived by a hybrid-assembly of graphene oxide (GO), o-phthalonitrile and cobalt acetate and the following thermal treatment. The hybrid-assembly process successfully combines the ionic assembly of GO sheets and Co ions with the coordination between o-phthalonitrile and Co ions, which can be converted to nitrogen doped carbon and Co nanoparticles in the pyrolysis process under nitrogen flow. Remarkable features of Co-NGA including the macroporous graphene scaffolds, high surface area, and N/Co-doping effect can lead to a high catalytic efficiency for ORR. As the results, the composites pyrolyzed at 600 °C (Co-NGA600) shows excellent electrocatalytic activities and kinetics for ORR in basic media, which are comparable with those of Pt/C catalyst, together with superior durability.

Graphical abstractA novel hybrid electrocatalyst consisting of nitrogen-doped graphene aerogel supported cobalt nanoparticles (Co-NGA) is archived by a facile hybrid-assembly of graphene oxide, o-phthalonitrile and cobalt acetate and the following thermal treatment, which exhibits a high catalytic efficiency for oxygen reduction reaction in basic media.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (65 K)Download as PowerPoint slide